Past Debates: Series 3

Series 3 highlights

Watch a selection of highlights from all Series 3 Doha Debates and Doha Debates Specials.

Monday, May 28 2007

This House believes that torture is only acceptable under legal supervision

Khawar Qureshi, Barrister and Queen's Counsel in the UK FOR
Freshta Raper, Former victim of torture AGAINST
Bob Stewart, Former British Commander FOR
Irene Khan, Secretary General, Amnesty International AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED by 42% to 58%
Broadcast: 2-3 June, 2007
Watch online
- The debate

Tuesday, May 01 2007

This House believes the pro-Israeli lobby has successfully stifled Western debate about Israel's actions

This event was held at the world famous Oxford Union debating society in the UK, marking the first time the Doha Debates have been held outside Qatar.
Norman Finkelstein, Professor of political science, DePaul University FOR
Martin Indyk, Brookings Institution AGAINST
Andrew Cockburn, Full-time writer and lecturer FOR
David Aaronovitch, British journalist, broadcaster and author AGAINST
A group of 15 students and recent graduates from high schools and universities in Doha were selected to travel to the UK to attend the debate and participate in a range of other activities.
They were given the opportunity to learn debating skills from some of the world’s leading debaters, gain an insight into life at the university and meet politicians and other policy makers. A film crew and photographer followed the students from Doha to the UK to document their trip.
MOTION PASSED by 66% to 34%
Broadcast: 5-6 May, 2007
Venue: Oxford Union Society, Oxford, UK
- Details
- Transcript
- Speakers
- Gallery
Watch online
- The debate
- Student trip to Oxford

Wednesday, March 28 2007

This House believes the Palestinians should give up their full right of return

Bassem Eid, Director, Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group FOR
Ilan Pappe, Senior Lecturer of Political Science, Haifa University AGAINST
Yossi Beilin, Member of the Israeli Knesset FOR
Ali Abunimah, Co-founder, The Electronic Intifada AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED by 18% to 82%
Broadcast: 14-15 April, 2007
Watch online
- The debate

Monday, February 19 2007

This House believes the face veil is a barrier to integration in the West

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Adviser to the British Home Office on Muslim affairs FOR
Ayshah Ismail, British teacher who wears the face veil AGAINST
Reem Maghribi, Founder, Sharq magazine FOR
Ahmed Ahmed Younis, Muslim Public Affairs Council in the US AGAINST
MOTION PASSED by 57% to 43%
Broadcast: 10-11 March, 2007
Watch online
- The debate

Wednesday, January 31 2007

This House believes only a new dictator can end the violence in Iraq

Sabah al-Mukhtar, Iraqi lawyer and activist FOR
Adnan Pachachi, Veteran Iraqi diplomat and politician AGAINST
Robert Baer, Former CIA officer who worked in the Middle East FOR
George Galloway, British politician and anti-Iraq war campaigner AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED by 33% to 67%
Broadcast: 10-11 February, 2007
Watch online
- The debate

Tuesday, January 30 2007

Doha Debate Special Event: Shimon Peres

In the first high-ranking Israeli visit to Qatar in more than a decade, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres was questioned by students at a Doha Debates Special event.
Broadcast: 3-4 February, 2007
Watch online
- The debate

Sunday, October 29 2006

Doha Debate Special Event: Amre Moussa

Doha Students questioned the head of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, on the hottest issues affecting the Arab world today.
Broadcast: 4-5 November, 2006
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- The debate

Wednesday, September 13 2006

This House believes Hezbollah had no right to fight a war on Lebanon's behalf

Oussama Safa, Lebanese Center for Policy Studies FOR
Mona Makram-Ebeid, Former member, Egyptian parliament AGAINST
Hisham Kassem, Vice Chairman and CEO, Al Masry Al-Youm FOR
Ibrahim El Moussaoui, Head of political programmes, Al Manar TV AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED by 37% to 63%
Broadcast: 16-17 September, 2006
Watch online
- The debate